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Monday, April 17, 2017

Going to Worlds? Eat Breakfast! (And Other Armada Advice)

Why don't we talk about how to play your best game of Armada, when you are playing the best of the best. You've planned your list, figured out the meta, and you're ready to go. Now you are going to fly off to Minnesota, stay in an unfamiliar hotel, and wake up early to register and get ready for your game. What can you do to make things better for yourself?

Go to breakfast.

Two pictures taken within seconds of one another. What do we see?

Well, for one thing we see the World Champion and the Runner Up.

In fact, the top 4 players from Worlds all went to at least one pre-Armada tournament breakfast. The top 2 players in the US Nationals ate breakfast together. And the last two Pittsburgh Regionals had the winner eat at the unofficial breakfast, and the most recent one had the top 4 all eating breakfast together. "That's an awful big coincidence. Why does this work?"

Magic.

Well, not magic actually. Psychology.

Specifically Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Even more specifically the need for food, one of the most basic needs, and the need belongingness / friendship (3rd need). There is no better way to be a part of the Armada community than to be able to talk shop with some of the best and brightest the game has to offer. Folks that you may have met online, or maybe people you've never even heard of, united by a common game you all enjoy. Also food. Food is important.

There are other needs you need to consider as well. Safety is important. You may not do as well if you think you are sleeping in a murder bed, or your hotel is sketchy. Sleep is important as well, getting in early enough that you can relax at your hotel and get a good nights sleep before the tournament is key. It might pay off to stay in a more expensive hotel, and bring things from home that help you sleep, like your pillow or your favorite tea.

Water and warmth should not be an issue at Worlds, but consider packing a water bottle / snacks for other tournaments.

Time to work on your Esteem then. Go out and win the tournament!

On a related note, as I am medically advised to avoid Worlds, I need someone else to run the pre-Worlds Breakfast. Let me know if you're interested in helping me coordinate it.